Beverly Benn-Lee

ACelebration of Life for Minister Beverly Benn-Lee, 61, will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Greater Union First Baptist Church, 240 South Clara Avenue, DeLand, Pastor Troy A. Bradley, Sr.; Pastor Clarence Tarpley, Royal Temple Free Methodist Church, officiating. Pastor Robert Benn, Hope of Shiloh Church of Tampa will deliver the main eulogy. Calling hours will be held today (Friday) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Arthur Mack Funeral Home, Inc. and Saturday from 12 noon until service time at Greater Union. Burial will follow the services at Union Cemetery, DeLand. Minister Beverly Benn-Lee was born June 23, 1947 in DeLand, Florida to James Benn and Dorothy Brinson, both of whom preceded her in death. Known affectionately as "Toot", she attended Southwestern High School, where she had high grades and was crowned Homecoming Queen. She attended Miami-Dade Community College and St. Thomas University. She relocated to Miami, Florida and started a family. She owned and operated three child care centers for 10 years, she ventured out into the transit industry where she leaves behind an extended family from Dade County Public School Transportation and Miami Dade County Transit Agency. She has always been very active in the church and a community pillar. She was ordained as a missionary in 1995 and ordained a minister in 2007. She assisted those in hard times by being an activist in the cities of Miami Gardens, Opa-Locka, Carol City and many other cities in South Florida. She was a member of the Eastern Star, shop-steward at the school and county transit agencies and recently enrolled at Miami-Dade College. She opened her home and heart to so many people in her lifetime and leaves behind a legacy of memories that are near and dear to us all to be kept guarded in that special place she lit the hearts of us all. Beverly leaves cherished memories in the hearts of a devoted family, loyal friends and a host of loved ones. Five great kids: Keith Holmes (Marsherry), Miami, FL; Torres Holmes (Sabrina), of West Palm Beach, FL; Keenan Holmes, Pollock, LA; Candace Holmes-Innocent (Rudy), High Point, NC; Travis Lee, Miami, FL; and a son, Terrance (her first born) who preceded her in death; six beautiful grandchildren: Torres Holmes II, Antwan Holmes, Terrol Whittingham, Khad'maleketh Israel, Kiara Swaby and Torell Holmes; sisters: Peggy Fludd (Roderick, Sr.), DeLand, FL; Dorothy Brinson, DeLand, FL; Deborah Benn-McGriff of Jacksonville, FL;Janice Benn-Hightower, Orlando, FL; Yolanda Benn of Wilmington, DE; brothers: Anthony Brinson (Rhonda) of New Smyrna Beach, FL; James Glover (Betty) Tampa, FL; Gregory Benn of Jacksonville, FL; Larry Holland (Mary) of Live Oak, FL; sister-in-law: Clorinda Williams; aunts: Lillie Benn-Mosley (Rufus), Eustis, FL; Alberta Edwards of Eustis, FL; Martha Benn-Johnson of Kissimmee, FL; Rozella Benn-Terrell of Apopka, FL; Uncles: Robert Smith (Mary) of Jacksonville, FL; Arthur L. Benn (Frankie) of Eustis, FL; cousins: Willie Jean Pettis (Willie) of Sodus, NY; Annie Lois Benjamin of Albany, GA; Annie Mae McClendon of DeLand, FL; two loving brothers preceded her in death, Marshall Williams and Lawrence Wyche; and a dear friend:Geneva Marshall. Condolences may be sent to the family at jecss@bellsouth.net. Arrangements entrusted to the care of the Cusack Family at Arthur Mack Funeral Home, Inc.